MiR-140-5p inhibits larynx carcinoma invasion and angiogenesis by targeting VEGF-A.

OBJECTIVE: Larynx carcinoma is a common head-neck malignant tumor. Recent investigations showed the involvement of microRNA (miR) in regulation of multiple tumors. miR-140-5p showed decreased expression in various cancers, but without knowledge regarding its expression in larynx carcinoma and effects on cell invasion and angiogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Real-time quantitative PCR was firstly employed to measure miR-140-5p expression in larynx carcinoma and controlled tumor adjacent tissues. In larynx cancer cell line, agomir or antagomir of miR-140-5p was applied to up-regulate or down-regulate miR-140-5p, respectively. Western blot was used to evaluate vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) expression, and cell proliferation was modified by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H- tetrazolium bromide (MTT) approach. Transwell approach was used to measure cell invasion, and angiogenesis assay was used to detect the effect on angiogenesis. Luciferase report assay (LRA) measured targeting binding between miR-140-5p and VEGF-A. RESULTS: Comparing to tumor adjacent tissues, larynx carcinoma cells showed significantly decreased miR-140-5p expression. Agomir up-regulated miR-140-5p expression and weakened proliferation and invasion potency, and inhibited angiogenesis. Antagomir down-regulated miR-140-5p and presented the opposite results. Finally, LRA confirmed direct binding between miR-140-5p and VEGF-A. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-140-5p can target VEGF-A in larynx carcinoma cell line to inhibit cell invasion and angiogenesis. MiR-140-5p thus may work as the direct molecular target of larynx carcinoma.

[Comparative study of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation and dynamic hip screw in the unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly].

Objective: To compare the effect of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation and dynamic hip screw in treating the femoral intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients. Methods: From June 2011 to June 2014, totally 158 elderly patients of femoral intertrochanteric fracture were treated by surgery, among whom 68 cases were treated with dynamic hip screws (DHS), and 90 patients were treated with proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA). The operative time, hospitalization time, weight-bearing time, fracture-healing time, blood loss and the hip function score after the operation were compared between the two groups by using the t test; and the incidence of the postoperative complication was compared between the two groups by using the Chi square test. Results: All the patients were followed-up for 6 to 18 months (12. 6 months on average). There was no statistic differences in the gender, age, the surgical time after injury and the fracture type between the two groups (χ(2)=0.025, t=1.461, 1.329, χ(2)=2.070, all P>0.05). While, the operative time, blood loss, hospitalization time and the weight-bearing time in the PFNA group were all significantly lower than those in the DHS group[(47±14) vs (114±20) min, (121±26) vs (281±44) ml, (10.2±3.3) vs (13.5±2.8) d, (29±8) vs (53±10) d, t=8.376, 6.669, 2.176, 2.664, all P<0.05]; and the Harris hip score of 6 months post operation in PFNA group was significantly higher than that in the DHS group (90±17 vs 87±15, t=2.337, P<0.05). However, no significant difference in fracture healing time was found between the two groups[(11.8±2.3) vs (12.2±2.7) weeks, t=1.114, P>0.05]. Moreover, the incidence of complications in the DHS group was 16.2% while it was 7.8% in the PFNA group, the latter was obviously lower (χ(2)=4.801, P<0.05). Conclusions: DHS is suitable for the patients with good physical condition or for the patients with stable fracture types. While, PFNA has the advantages of firmly fixation, less tissue damage, lower complications and wide indications. So, it is superior in the femoral intertrochanteric fractures.

[Effects of alginate/collagen scaffold on cell proliferation and differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells].

Objective: To build scaffold materials with different concentrations of alginate and collagen, and to observe the effects of alginate/collagen ratio on the proliferation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSC) and osteogenic differentiation. The optimal concentration of alginate/collagen will be chosen for constructing hydrogel that will be used for bone tissue engineering. Methods: Soluble hydrogel scaffold materials containing alginate/collagen were prepared, and the following groups were established based on different alginate/collagen ratio: 4∶1 (group A), 2∶1 (group B), and 1∶1 (group C). Cell proliferation on the material surface was observed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, while cell viability in each material group were observed using live/dead staining. Quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR) was used to measure the differential expression of osteogenesis-related genes on and in the materials. Immunofluorescence staining was used to measure the differential gene expression of osteogenesis-related proteins in each group. Results: The results from the CCK-8 assay showed increasing cell proliferation rate on the lyophilized hydrogel material surface as the collagen concentration increased, and the highest cell proliferation was observed in group C. Live/dead staining assay indicated that cells were able to proliferate in all three types of hydrogel materials, and the highest cell viability was found in material from group B ([87.50±2.65]%). qPCR showed that the expression of osteogenesis-related genes in group C was the highest, among the three groups, while the expression of osteocalcin in group B was significantly higher than those in the other two groups (P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining was carried out for osteocalcin on and in the hydrogel material and the results were consistent with that of qPCR. Conclusions: The alginate/collagen scaffold materials did not show adverse effects on the cell proliferation of hAMSC and osteogenenic differentiation. Bone tissue engineering can use 10% hydrogel material, and when the sodium alginate and collagen have a ratio of 2∶1, the hydrogel can be conducive to cell differentiation and proliferation.

Comparison of Chinese and Caucasian families caregiving to children with cancer at home: Part I.

This 1-year, longitudinal comparative study of Chinese and Caucasian family caregiving for a child with cancer is reported in two parts. Part I describes data obtained from the initial interviews at diagnosis with Chinese and Caucasian families. Interviews revealed that Chinese families use supplemental care methods, Chinese families have fewer resources and are more isolated; Caucasian families emphasize emotional care; and family emotional coping patterns differed between the two groups. Measures of functional status of the child, the impact of the child's illness on the family, the symptomatic responses of the parents to the child's illness, and patterns of caregiving were also analyzed over the first year after diagnosis. There were no statistical differences between ethnic groups. General health was lower for the children with cancer than for chronically ill children. Part II reports on the results from the two following interviews during the first year after diagnosis.

Common themes and ethnic differences in family caregiving the first year after diagnosis of childhood cancer: Part II.

Chinese immigrant and North American white family caregiving for a child with cancer was compared in a 1-year study. This second of a two-part report describes interview results after first remission and at 1-year postdiagnosis. (The first part reported results of the initial interview and family function, symptom and caregiving inventories administered at diagnosis and at first remission). In follow-up interviews, the ill child remained the family priority in both groups, with sequelae for siblings and parents. All children were physically well cared for, with strict adherence to Western medical protocols. Cultural differences and immigrant status contributed to lower verbal expression of distress, more isolation, and lower attention to emotional distress for the Chinese. Caregiving emphases were dietary for the Chinese; emotional for the Caucasians. Differences over time in family caregiving and coping were determined by demands of care and evolving expertise. Care inclusive routines were established by most families by the second interview, in spite of extent of continued difficulties. Emotional care demands, concern for needs of siblings, and marital conflict increased over time. At 1 year, all families complained of emotional and physical fatigue and the need to adapt to a tentative future with their child.

[Observation of pregnancy and labour after kidney transplantation].

Three patients were pregnancy after kidney transplantation were observed. One patient had omen labour 34 weeks after pregnancy owing to change of kidney function and caesarean section was done. The transplanted kidney completely lost its function after operation and was removed. The second patient received caesarean section 35 weeks after pregnancy due to raising of blood pressure and proteinuria. The patient had rejection of transplanted kidney and general failure after operation, and died 7 months later. The third patient showed rejection of transplanted kidney 21 weeks after pregnancy and was subjected to hydrostatic dilatation. The transplanted kidney completely lost its function and was removed.